Connecticut western news., 1887-01-19
Kit Carson's Wild Ride.

Olu ] huOW htt SdASous AS SPoneSN that veteran pioneer, Mir. w. M. Boggs of Napa, to a question concerning the famous plainsman and guide. "Wen, slightly, Ircckon. Iwintered and sum- mcred with him and Nick Gentry in the old trading days of '46 and '47- the times, you know, of the overland trade on the Santa Fe road, between St. Louis and New Mexico. It took five or six months to make the trip by wagon and team over the Cimarron route, as it was called. Nick Gentry when I was with him in 1844, pointed out to me many places where bloody encounters had taken place between the white traders and the sneaking aud bloodthirsty Pawnees, Kiowas, Comanches, and Apaches." s.EsE5.
 "But about Carson. What sort of a man was the old guide and trapper2'
 ''He had many Indian characteristics, owing to the fact that his life had been largely spent among the savages. He was retiring, modest to a degree among his white fellows, resisted any attempt to bring him into notice, and was abashed and even irritable when he perceived a disposition to lionize him. He felt ill at ease among white men, but when among the Indians had no such feeling. Carson spoke slowly and as one having authority. His judgment in all diff faculties occurring on march or questions arising in council was never questioned. His habits were simple, his fair plain. l have known him go for days without food, and at the same time feel no great inconvenience. A handful of dried buffalo meat, or little parched corn, which he carried in sort of pouch be- hind his saddle, was his only rations for weeks sometimes. He was temperate, too, and seldom, if ever, indulged in strong drink. Carson was loosly- built man, of small stature, and did not weigh over 16O pounds. Simple habits of life had become second nature to himself and his associates on the plains. The luxuries of life and the confinement of towns, when they happened in the white settlements, soon pal:ed on them, and in little while they went off to their hunting grounds, the simple fare of the praire, and the pure wa'cr of the mountain streams. Yes," continued Mir. Boggs, "Carson was a model plainsman. He was cautious in all his movements on the march, but daring in times of emergency, quick to perceive any advantage to be taken, whether over the willy savage or in combating the elements. It is unnecessary to speak of his bravery, Fremonts experiences bear testimony to that. He rendered valuable service to the United States government during the Mexican war, and after he had quit Fremont, was guide and scout for old Gen. Stephen w. Kearny. He was in the hard fight at San Paschal, where Kearny was defeated by Andres Pico."
 "What were the circumstances attend. ing Carson's death?"
 'It was caused by an accident. Ht broke an artery by falling from his mule, and breathed his last at my brother residence, on the Los Auimas, not fal from the site of old Fort Bent, where the two had passed many happy days and passed through many exciting scenes of frontier life.
 "Yes, yes," said Mir. Boggs, slowly and in lower voice, as if communine with himself, "the Rocky Mountain he roes have all passed away; Carson, Sub lette, Walker, Williams, Greenwood Black Harris, Peg Leg smith-all gon, to the happy hunting grounds"
 Recovering himself the gentleman con tinued:
 Speaking of Carson's bravery, let m relate an incident that will illustrate hi courage. It was most horrible ant distressing one, and took place on tn
 Santa Fe Road, near the Cimarrol mountains, in 1S46. A merchant trade
 named James White, from Independence
 Mo-, with his wife, servant and child
 was captured, together, with his mer
 chandise train, by the Comanches, wh'
 after the Apaches, are the most cruel o
 all the North American Indian tribes
 White and all his men were immediatcl
 tomahawked and scalped, and tn
 women and child carried off prisoners
 News of this affair reached the Ney
 Mexican settlement, where Kit Carso
 happened 70 be Che lived near Taos il
 New Mexico), and he immediately start
 ed, joining party of United State